San Fratello
San Fratello: the medieval town
San Fratello, a municipality of 3257 inhabitants located in the metropolitan city of Messina, has a very interesting medieval history. Previously known as San Filadelfo, the town was repopulated during the Norman rule of Sicily by soldiers and Lombard settlers from an area of north-western Italy. The town's name in the Gallo-Italic dialect of Sicily is still the medieval one of ''San Frareau'' (San Filadelfio), erroneously translated as San Fratello. In Latin, the town is known as ''Terra Sancti Philadelphi'' or ''Sanctus Philadelphus''.
Physical geography of San Fratello
San Fratello has a territory of 83 km² and extends vertically almost up to Monte Soro (1,847 m asl), the highest peak of the Nebrodi Mountains. The territory is enclosed between the Inganno and Furiano streams. From the lowest altitudes (300) to the highest (1,800 m asl), there is a gradual change in vegetation. The areas without forests are used for grazing cattle, sheep, goats and the Sanfratellano horses, which live in the wild.
The beauty of the San Fratello forest
The territory of San Fratello is characterized by agricultural crops. In large hilly areas, there are small vineyards and several orchards of minor economic interest, with family and traditional olive groves. The San Fratello forest falls within the Nebrodi Park and is crossed by the State Road 289 of Cesarò. The beauty of the landscape that visitors see is due to the conservation of the forest in almost all of its natural state.
The cultural history of San Fratello
San Fratello is also known for being an important cultural center of Sicily.
Poetry in Sicilian dialects
Gisella Pizzuto (1997) edited ''Oro antico: parole d'amore, parole d'onore: antologia della poesia nei dialetti di Sicilia, dall'unità d'Italia al 1997'', which collects the works of the greatest poets in Sicilian dialect, including San Fratello.
Folk tales and legends
The city was also described by the Italian folklorist Giuseppe Pitrè (1969) in ''Fiabe e leggende popolari siciliane'', a collection of Sicilian fairy tales and legends taken from the stories of the Sicilian people, including some from San Fratello.
Apollonia
Magna Grecia, the oldest settlement of San Fratello, was located about two kilometers north of the current urban center and was known as Apollonia.
The gastronomy of San Fratello
San Fratello is also famous for its traditional cuisine.
Culinary specialties
Culinary specialties include caciocavallo, a salty ricotta cheese, the San Fratello chili pepper, honey, arancini and pasta alla Normanna.
The Carnival of San Fratello
The Carnival of San Fratello, held every year, celebrates the culture, cuisine and traditions of the town. On this occasion, traditional dishes such as pasta alla Normanna, zite al sugo, braciole and lardo are prepared, and parades with floats and music and theater shows are organized.
In conclusion, San Fratello offers visitors not only the beauty of the natural landscape of the Nebrodi Mountains, but also an important cultural and gastronomic heritage that represents the essence of Sicily.
